Ireland (133 caps, 1999-2014)<\/em><\/p>\nAnother quarter-final defeat at the World Cup still hurts. The months since have been hard.<\/p>\n
Retirements mean we\u2019ve lost Johnny Sexton\u2019s great leadership and also Keith Earls, but you can\u2019t immediately cast aside all those who won\u2019t be involved in the next World Cup.<\/p>\n
New captain Peter O\u2019Mahony might not seem a long-term prospect at 34, but it\u2019s not inconceivable he might get to Australia 2027. He has huge authority in the squad.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s first fixture is France away, the match that has decided the championship for the last few years. Win and you have momentum, lose and you\u2019re against the ropes immediately.<\/p>\n
The half backs are always key, with Jack Crowley most likely taking over from Sexton as kicker and orchestrator. He has just nine caps, many of them off the bench, so fans will need to be patient with him.<\/p>\n
Calvin Nash has one cap and isn\u2019t guaranteed selection, but there\u2019s a voltage when he gets the ball and he can create problems.<\/p>
RadioTimes.com says\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\nThere\u2019s a strong sense that 2023 was Ireland\u2019s year, their opportunity, their time. But it wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
They looked masterful in the Six Nations, though last year\u2019s edition had the air of a starter prior to the World Cup main course. For the sake of the metaphor, the Irish filled up on bread and couldn\u2019t press on as much as they would have liked during the RWC.<\/p>\n
Andy Farrell\u2019s men must undergo a transition following Johnny Sexton\u2019s departure from the scene. They remain one of two clear favourites, but France, with the home advantage of their meeting swinging in favour of Les Bleus, may pip them to the title.<\/p>\n
Prediction: 2nd<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n